The self-titled split release from Bermuda Teenager and opulent ardor is perhaps best understood as a direct reflection of the times in which it was created. The two musicians made plans in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic to quickly record and release a collaborative EP, but what was supposed to take only a matter of weeks ended up taking over a year. Just like how initial estimates for the length of the pandemic were given in weeks, but yet, here we are. Still.

As the pandemic unfolded, the very fabric of society seemed to unravel as the deeply racist and oppressive nature of the American system became completely impossible to ignore. All four tracks function simultaneously as commentary on, and escape from, the dystopian air of the pandemic: “Quarantine Dream” is just that, an expansive, dreamlike respite from the confines of quarantine. “Distance Learning” is a classic pop tale of heartbreak set against an apocalyptic backdrop. “I’ve Been Having These Thoughts,” with its evocative vocal samples, soaring synths and aching piano melody, so perfectly captures the feeling of staring out the window in the early days of quarantine, longing for any type of reassurance that everything was soon going to be okay. “Radical Acceptance,” named after the DBT concept created by Dr. Marsha Linehan, is a 7 ½ minute instrumental epic that moves from Gas-inspired lilting forest ambience to Lynchian gothic chamber pop, as if the song itself was forced to radically accept some deep, dark truth of the universe.

Clocking in at over 20 minutes, Bermuda Teenager / opulent ardor is a generous labor of love between two close friends, the final physical form of the fear, isolation, heartache and bewilderment felt by the pair of musicians since the start of the pandemic.